75 Percent of Homeless Youth Use Social Media, Study Indicates

Researchers from the University of Alabama and the National Science Foundation have recently released a study in Computers in Human Behavior titled “The homeless use Facebook?! Similarities of social network use between college students and homeless young adults.” The study observes social media usage among young adults and finds that 75 percent of the homeless youth surveyed are actively using social media. The study included 237 college students and 65 homeless young adults (average age: 19) in shelters. The college students reported a higher regular use of social networking (with 90 percent saying they use social media regularly), but overall, the usage between the two groups was extraordinarily similar.

The lead author of the report, the National Science Foundation’s Rosanna E. Guadagno, says, “Since it is clear that the proportions of undergraduates and homeless young adults accessing social networking sites are similar, we assert that the term ‘digital divide’ is not descriptive of the young adult population.”

The article in Wired points to recent research by the U.K.’s Office for National Statistics which indicates that the digital divide is, to some extent, affected by age. According to Wired’s paraphrasing of the U.K. research, “as of the first quarter of 2012 the internet participation rate remains at least around 90 percent up until the 45-55 age group, but then drops sharply, with only 27.4 percent of those over 75 having ever gone online. Studies such as the University of Alabama one seem to indicate that age remains the most significant signifier that someone may not have the access to the web that they could.”

Does this study seem to reflect the experience of people working with homeless youth elsewhere? And if so, how have you adapted your programs to make use of social media? –Aine Creedon

Aine Creedon is Nonprofit Quarterly's Digital Publishing Coordinator and has worn many hats at NPQ over the past five years. She has extensive experience with social media, communications and outreach in the nonprofit sector, and spent two years in Americorps programs serving with a handful of organizations across the nation. Aine currently resides in Denver, Colorado where she enjoys hiking with her dog Frida and is currently serving on the advisory board of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Denver and also co-leads their Marketing and Communications Committee.

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